November 27, 2022
To Win A Prince
In To Win A Prince, though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together–if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way.
About To Win A Prince
As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country’s resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo–the man who betrayed her best friend–will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.
Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Ọlọrans. To pay for his actions against Ọlọrọ Ilé, he’s forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely–but he can’t allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.
My Thoughts
Book two by this author does not disappoint! I love the way Toni writes – it draws you into the story and connects you with the main characters in an intimate way. This novel delivers that and more.
In this novel, we are introduced to the Queen’s best friend Iris. While we meet her in the first novel, in this one we take a deep dive into her life, her passions and feelings. She is drawn to the people and wants to help support the less fortunate of this beautiful country she has come to. She is also strongly attracted to the man who tried to ruin her best friend and who is supposed to be completing community service with her business! Talk about conflicting priorities – Iris is torn between seeing the good in someone, forgiveness and her own beliefs. Is she being used for her good heart? Will she be hurt? What path should she follow?
At the heart of her dilemma is Ekon – by far one of my favourite characters in this novel. I loved watching him mature and grow chapter by chapter. While from the outside, many would see the privileged and rich life he had but this came with its own consequences and damages to his emotional and mental health that we cannot see. He struggles with everything that he has been taught as a child, with his love and loyalty to family (despite how they treat him) and how and who he wants to be.
While a story with great lessons and growth and development, it is told in a fun and engaging manner that keeps you turning each page, wanting to know more. I could not put this one down – I cannot wait to read more from this author.
You can purchase a copy of this book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Toni Shiloh (www.tonishiloh.com) is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince has been praised by OprahDaily.com, Popsugar, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable bestseller. Her books have been finalists for the HOLT Medallion and the Selah Award. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 27, 2022
Beneath the Bending Skies
New from New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick, Beneath the Bending Skies is a sweeping story of hospitality, destiny, and the bonds of family.
About Beneath the Bending Skies
Mollie Sheehan has spent much of her life striving to be a dutiful daughter and honor her father’s wishes, even when doing so has led to one heartbreak after another. After all, what options does she truly have in 1860s Montana? But providing for her stepfamily during her father’s long absences doesn’t keep her from wishing for more.
When romance blooms between her and Peter Ronan, Mollie finally allows herself to hope for a brighter future–until her father voices his disapproval of the match and moves her to California to ensure the breakup. Still, time and providence are at work, even when circumstances are at their bleakest. Mollie may soon find that someone far greater than her father is in control of the course of her life–and that even the command to “honor thy father” has its limits.
My Thoughts
I fell in love with this story of Mollie – who is the kindest, strongest and devoted young woman during a time that is not the kindest to women in general. She is constantly pitted between her life dreams and goals, and her Father’s.
Mollie’s Mother passes away at a young age and as we come to learn, she was the love of her Father’s life. This plays into the control and the behaviours of her Father throughout the novel. At a young age by today’s standards, she falls in love with a man slightly older than her but a well respected man. Her Father denies the two the opportunity for love and goes to such extremes as moving a great distance to keep the two apart.
Mollie grows in her confidence and wisdom apart from her love but her heart yearns for more. She yearns for love and children and she faces a tough decision – does she follow her heart and teachings from God, or continue to allow her Father to dictate her life.
This was a beautiful story from start to finish. My heart broke for Mollie many times throughout the story – she is a beautiful soul who has sacrificed so much for her family but her Father refuses to really ‘see’ her and let her live. You become proud of her resilience and strength – rooting for her but hoping that she finds peace in her heart and with her family. Mollie’s personal struggles takes place in the context of her move to Montana as the wife of an Agent for the Native American tribes. In this, we are exposed to the treatment of the Indigenous people and the struggles that they faced during this time (a very high level look at their struggles).
This is a definite must read novel this winter season and would make a great gift this holiday season.
You can purchase a copy of this book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of forty books, including Something Worth Doing, One More River to Cross, Everything She Didn’t Say, All Together in One Place, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. And been short-listed for the Christy, Spur, and Oregon Book Awards. Jane divides her time between Central Oregon and California with her husband, Jerry, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Caesar.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 11, 2022
Butterfly Love from Above
Butterfly Love from Above is the heartwarming story of one little girl’s journey through grief.
About Butterfly Love from Above
This is the heartwarming story of one little girl’s journey through grief. After losing her best friend—a butterfly named Twinkle—Star must search to rediscover her sunshine. The loss of Twinkle has kept Star under a dark cloud for some time, but her journey towards betterment will touch the hearts of all readers! Star is amazed to discover that she can reclaim her own sunshine by helping others who are also stuck under a dark cloud of their own! And she’ll realize that her light is even brighter than before! Star’s love for Twinkle—and her pony, Luna—will show readers the beauty, joy, and healing power that animals can bring to our lives! Her journey will remind us that there is something beautiful to see when we take a moment to “always look up!”
Our Thoughts
When I first read this story, I cried. Grief is such a difficult thing to go through no matter how old you are. After losing a loved one – we used to have a dove that would sit on the powerline across our street and during our most difficult times, it brought us peace and a reminder that they were always there with us.
Star is a bright, loving young child who loves to dance, smile and is full of happiness. The loss of her friend Twinkle is quite difficult for her to process and she must learn to find this sunshine again with the help of her Mother, friends and an animal friend. As she learns how to process her grief and to find happiness – she also learns how to share this with others (which is a special gift in its own!).
This is a beautiful story for young children with equally lovely illustrations as they navigate the difficult emotions of grief, and learning to find peace and happiness again. It is a great conversation starter for parents as they help navigate those difficult moments and helps to remind us that our loved ones are always with us and that there is beauty every day if we just look up.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and B&N.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Melissa Stuart lives in Los Angeles, California with her family, their English Mastiff, Gucci, and their pony, Luna! Melissa and her husband stay busy traveling all over the country with their boys’ hockey teams. She loves being a Hockey Mom and watching her boys chase their dream of following in their dad’s footsteps to play in the NHL! Her happy place is with her little girl, Stella, at the barn surrounded by horses and their precious Luna. Sun Valley, Idaho is her family’s favorite summer getaway destination. When they’re there, Melissa feels most inspired to write sitting by the river, surrounded by mountains and nature! Her dream of becoming a published author for the first time came true in early 2021, as she shared her story “Find Your Sunshine” in a book co-written by 10 other inspiring authors—all of whom were sharing stories about shining their light and becoming difference makers in the world! Melissa hopes this story will inspire children to always look up. She wishes to teach them that true joy comes when we shine our own light and show kindness to others. That’s the secret to finding our sunshine!
You can connect with Melissa on her website, Facebook and Instagram.
The Giveaway!
Win a signed copy of Butterfly Love from Above by clicking on this link.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 24, 2022
More Than My Scars
More Than My Scars is a story of not just surviving impossible odds but thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within.
About More Than My Scars
More Than My Scars is her incredible story. A story of not just surviving impossible odds but thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within.
Now in her early 30s, Kechi has spent the last 16 years refusing to be defined by her trauma. Follow her as she decides for herself what role her scars will play in her life before society decides for her. Her strong sense of identity, rooted in seeing herself the way God sees her, has allowed her to live authentically in a world that constantly seeks to define us by its ever-changing (and ever-shallow) standards. Kechi’s story will inspire you to love and accept yourself as you are and confidently present your true self to the world.
My Thoughts
Kechi’s story is incredibly powerful and moving – it moved me to tears, made me smile and made my heart swell at the journey she was set upon after surviving a plane crash.
I can’t even begin to imagine the physical pain that Kechi would have experienced in the weeks, months and years following the accident. Combine the physical pain with the emotional and mental tool that recovery takes on you, she has incredible resiliency, belief and family support. My heart was sore at several times as she explained moments when those in the medical field did not listen to her despite her trying to advocate for herself and the pain (this is one of my biggest pet peeves with medicine – we should believe patients and we should never tell a patient what they should be experiencing and how they should be feeling based.
While it can be hard at times to hear her story, she teaches us many valuable lessons. While her faith may have been tested, it did help her through her journey – along with the strong outpouring of love and determination from her family. Both her and her family never saw her as different – and what caused her so much pain also brought blessings into her life. How? Her voice and singing. Kechi took something that happened to her that could have caused her to become full of negativity and turned it into motivation and became a beacon of hope.
I loved the personal tone Kechi takes with her story – I felt like we were chatting in the kitchen together over coffee. She lets you see the vulnerable side of her – not looking for sympathy but being honest and open. She has accomplished so much during such a short time and is an individual that you want to aspire to be like.
This was a touching and powerful story that you will not want to put down – a must read story.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About Kechi Okwuchi
Kechi Okwuchi is a Nigerian American recording artist and motivational speaker. One of two survivors in the Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 crash on December 10, 2005, she was a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2017 and has put out her own original music since her appearance on the hit TV show. She hopes to use her story and her musical talents to ignite hope. Okwuchi lives in Texas.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed are my own.
June 22, 2022
The Element of Love
In The Element of Love, Laura mixed danger, desperation, and deception together. Love was not the expected outcome.
About the Element of Love
With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother’s unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away–far and fast–to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father’s lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.
During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission’s parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb’s past and in the land around them come to light, it’ll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.
My Thoughts
This was an interesting tale of three sisters with very unique and brilliant minds. Each one having a very special talent that when combined they are unstoppable. This is a gift of education from their equally talented and late Father who felt that it was extremely important to educate his daughters who would one day take over his company.
So many of their dreams and the future that was originally planned out for them fell apart with their father’s death and their mother’s remarriage. So much so that the sisters plan an elaborate escape from their family home in the hopes of finding a man to marry. On their way to marriage, they cross paths with a mission group and their lives are forever changed. Not only are they forced to learn to trust (and love) but they would do anything to protect these people.
I loved the unique nature of this story, it was definitely not something that I had ever read before and definitely kept me on my toes! The sisters themselves are loveable and quirky, your heart goes out to them for the difficult hand they were dealt later in life and the steps that they must take to overcome this. A great summer time read!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than half a million books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
